Wheels of misfortune turning

6:28 PM,
Nov. 11, 2013

Froma Harrop

Written by

Froma Harrop
Columnist

The problem of America's congested roads has long been simple: too many tires vying for a fixed amount of pavement. But with a growing bicycle culture joining the car culture, the difficulties have expanded greatly. The conveyances now travel at very different speeds, follow different rules of the road and expose their operators to vastly different levels of physical vulnerability.

Let me start with a disclaimer: I am no fan of the car culture. I use buses, trains and my feet, as well as my car. And I'm a fair-weather bicyclist who sticks to routes with little traffic.